The team went an incredible 12-0 in conference play, but fell just short of their goals in the playoffs.

Players say the disappointing end to last season will push them this year.

"It just teaches us that, you know, baseball is a failure sport," says centerfielder Luke Osborne. "Obviously everything's not going to go our way, but we just want to compete harder. We're just more prepared this year. We're expecting to do very well."

The Red Robins want to repeat their winning ways in conference this year, and they say establishing a strong team chemistry will go a long way toward achieving that goal.

"As a team we just want to work hard, come here with energy every day, and grow as the season goes on," says Head Coach Dan Bastle. "We have a really, extremely tough schedule this year for our non-conference schedule. That's really what it's all about: just to grow as a team, bond together. Hopefully we'll make a late-season run and we'll see what happens."

The Red Robins also got a jump on the early season bad weather. They took to a school parking lot for practice last week to get ready for cold weather games. Coaches say those early practices are invaluable.

"Well, I think for Wisconsin, you really have to work on the fundamentals," says Bastle. "That's the key. Ground balls, pop-ups, and whenever you can get an opportunity to get outside and get that done you have to."

Good fundamentals are key in baseball, which is one reason players don't mind practicing outdoors in March.

"We want to keep good habits," says infielder Cameron Noskowiak. "We don't want to pick up bad habits just because of cold. We want to make sure we warm up well and just start taking ground balls in the field and taking pop flies outside and everything like that."

Antigo will play their first official game this Thursday against Sun Prairie.

PARK FALLS - The Park Falls and Glidden school districts consolidated to make the Chequamegon School District six years ago. The merger was a tough experience for all involved, but the new combined athletic program didn't take long to prosper.

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